By MillRate USA · Last reviewed 2026-10-30
The short answer
| What | When, for 2026 taxes |
|---|---|
| Bills mailed | By October 1, 2026, "or as soon thereafter as practicable" |
| Due | When you receive the bill |
| Delinquent | If not paid before February 1, 2027 |
| Split payment, where offered | Half before December 1, 2026; the rest before July 1, 2027 |
| Installments for 65+, disabled and disabled-veteran homesteads | Four payments: the first before the delinquency date, then before April 1, June 1 and August 1, 2027 |
The February 1 deadline, and the weekend rule
Section 31.02 of the Tax Code says taxes "are due on receipt of the tax bill and are delinquent if not paid before February 1 of the year following the year in which imposed." For 2026 taxes, that makes January 31, 2027 the last day, and it falls on a Sunday.
Section 1.06 says an act is timely when its last day is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, or a day the collector's office is closed, and it's done on the next regular business day. Section 1.08 says a payment sent by first-class mail is on time if its postmark is on or before the due date. How your county applies this to 2027 is printed on your bill; if you're paying close to the deadline, check with your county tax office rather than relying on the weekend rule.
Two exceptions push the date later. If your bill was mailed after January 10, the delinquency date moves to the first day of the next month that gives you at least 21 days to pay (Section 31.04). Members of the armed forces on active duty outside Texas have extra time under Section 31.02(b).
Paying in two halves
A taxing unit that collects its own taxes can offer a split payment: pay half before December 1 and the other half before July 1 of the next year, with no penalty or interest (Section 31.03). It's optional, so not every bill offers it; your bill says if yours does. If the second half isn't paid before July 1, it incurs a 12% penalty.
Four installments for seniors, disabled owners and disabled veterans
If you're 65 or older or disabled and have that homestead exemption, or you're a disabled veteran (or the unmarried surviving spouse of one) with the related exemption, you can pay your homestead's taxes in four equal installments without penalty or interest (Section 31.031). Pay the first before the delinquency date and tell the taxing unit you'll pay the rest in three installments; when the delinquency date is February 1, those are due before April 1, June 1 and August 1. A missed installment incurs a 6% penalty plus interest.
What paying late costs
Section 33.01 sets the penalty at 6% for the first month a tax is delinquent plus 1% for each additional month before July, and 12% in total from July 1. Interest is 1% a month on top, for as long as the tax is unpaid. Together, for taxes delinquent on February 1:
| Paid in | Penalty | Interest | Total added |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | 6% | 1% | 7% |
| March | 7% | 2% | 9% |
| April | 8% | 3% | 11% |
| May | 9% | 4% | 13% |
| June | 10% | 5% | 15% |
| July | 12% | 6% | 18% |
Interest keeps adding 1% a month after July. On top of that, a taxing unit that has hired a delinquent-tax attorney can add a collection penalty to taxes still unpaid on July 1 (Section 33.07); it's capped at the attorney's contracted fee.
Where to pay
Your county tax assessor-collector usually sends one bill for the county and the other units it collects for, such as the city and school district. Some units collect their own taxes and bill separately. The Comptroller keeps a directory of county tax offices and appraisal districts.
Check the rates on your bill
Your bill lists each unit's rate. This site has the 2025 rate for every Texas taxing unit, by county, and an add-up tool on each county page. The 2026 rates on this fall's bills are published by the Comptroller by January 1, 2027.
- Houston area property tax rates
- Dallas–Fort Worth area property tax rates
- Austin area property tax rates
- All Texas counties and the Texas property tax guide
Sources
- Texas Tax Code, Chapter 31 (Sections 31.01, 31.02, 31.03, 31.031, 31.04)
- Texas Tax Code, Chapter 33 (Sections 33.01, 33.07)
- Texas Tax Code, Chapter 1 (Sections 1.06, 1.08)
- Texas Comptroller, county directory
This guide explains how the law works. It isn't legal or tax advice. Your tax bill and your county tax office have the final word on your dates. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].